Wayne Rooney returns for Manchester United today, determined to end the worst goalscoring drought of his playing career.

Rooney, who has gone 13 games - a total of 1,081 minutes - without a goal for club and country, missed United’s 2-2 draw at Fulham last weekend after picking up a virus.

But United’s star striker has been training all week and, according to Old Trafford insiders, is desperate to get back among the goals and embark on one of his customary scoring streaks.

“Wayne has trained all week and he’s back, which is good news,” said Fergie. “I say it time and time again - strikers live by their goals. When they’re not scoring, they think it’s never going to come.

“Then when the goals do come, they think they’re never going to finish. Strikers are straightforward people, you know. And Wayne is no different from any other striker.”

Rooney’s last goal came on 30 March, against Bayern Munich in a Champions League quarter-final. That was 150 days ago, since when he has played 492 minutes for United and 589 for England, which included his own personal nightmare at the World Cup.

Despite an impressive 45-minute display in the 3-1 Community Shield win over Chelsea, in which Rooney set up the opening goal and played with his customary zeal, the 24-year-old looked devoid of confidence in United’s Premier League opener this season, a 3-0 win over Newcastle.

Rooney was substituted with 27 minutes left and, while he is still searching for match fitness having reported back for pre-season later than those United players who were not on World Cup duty in South Africa, there is legitimate concern as his ongoing failure to find the back of the net.

His previous worst run without a goal, prior to the present one, stretched for 12 games - 1,002 minutes of match-time - from December 2005 to February 2006, which came to and end with two goals in the Carling Cup final against Wigan.

One United player with no such concerns over his form is Paul Scholes, whose early-season displays have once again prompted England boss Fabio Capello to implore him to come out of international retirement for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Fergie, as Scholes confirmed on United’s pre-season tour of the US, said there was no chance the 35-year-old would pull on an England shirt again, having made his decision to retire in the aftermath of Euro 2004, having become disillusioned with the international scene.

And Fergie then rounded on Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who, amid praise for Scholes, claimed last week there was a “dark side” to the midfielder - a notoriously poor tackler - that the Arsenal boss did not like.

“I don’t know why Arsene Wenger said that,” said Fergie. “If you’re asked about someone with the ability and performance levels of Paul, you know he’s not the best tackler, but he’s not injured anyone in his time here.

“It’s very easy to look into the dark side of any player. I could say the same about one of the Arsenal players in particular, but I don’t need to do that. He [Wenger] should focus on the strengths and abilities of someone like Paul and the contribution he’s made to English football over an 18-year period. It’s phenomenal.”

Fergie claimed Scholes - and fellow veteran Ryan Giggs - had every chance of emulating AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini by playing at the highest level when they are 40. Scholes turns 36 in November, while Giggs is 37 later the same month.

“I think the fact Paul has stayed clear of injuries is important,” said Fergie. “He had an eye and a knee injury a couple of years back, which cost him two half-seasons. But he’s fit now and trained every day. That makes a difference when you’re in your 30s.

“Maldini was unbelievable. He was 40 when he finished. So it can be done. It depends on how much Giggs and Scholes enjoy it, and whether they stay clear of injuries. Paul is more susceptible to injuries than Ryan, but if he stays clear he has a chance.”

Ferguson confirmed that Scholes will not be coming out of international retirement to play for England, and will be less than impressed that West Ham boss Avram Grant believes the United midfielder is letting down his country.

Grant carried out national service in the Israeli army before managing his national team and before visiting Old Trafford today, the proud patriot insisted Scholes should also serve his country and return to the England team.

He said: “Because I was a national coach and to serve your country is a privilege. It is more than any other thing. His age doesn’t matter because he is playing so well.

“I am not surprised by his retirement because it has happened before but I don’t like it because when you are living in a country and a citizen of the country, you need to give everything for your country and not think about yourself.”

West Ham travel to Old Trafford after losing their two opening league matches for the first time in a decade. But Grant, who lost his first and last matches for Chelsea against Manchester United, insisted: “I always tell my players to be positive. You cannot go with a negative attitude. Manchester United are a better team than West Ham but it’s not always the better team that wins.”